CN111373610B

CN111373610B - Plug connector and plug connector arrangement having such a plug connector

Info

Publication number: CN111373610B
Application number: CN201880077468.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L.邓鲍; G.瓦伦施泰纳; M.克勒克尔
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2017-11-30
Filing date: 2018-11-08
Publication date: 2022-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-08
Also published as: DE102017221521A1; US11251561B2; JP2021504919A; CN111373610A; DE102017221521B4; EP3718175A1; KR20200086367A; WO2019105705A1; EP3718175B1; JP6997316B2; US20210006000A1; KR102405664B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector (1) for plugging onto or into a mating plug connector (30) along a plugging direction (S), the mating plug connector having at least two mating contact elements (31). The plug-in connector (1) has a housing (2) with a first plane (3) facing a plug-in direction (S). The housing (2) has at least two contact chambers (4), each of which has an opening (5) in the first plane (3). At least two contact chambers (4) are formed separately from each other in the housing (2). Between at least two contact chambers (4) adjacent to each other, a wall (7) is arranged, which, viewed in the direction opposite to the plugging direction (S), protrudes from the first plane (3). Alternatively or additionally, at least one groove is arranged in the first plane (3) between at least two contact chambers (4) adjacent to each other.

Description

Plug connector and plug connector arrangement having such a plug connector

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electrical plug connector for plugging onto or into a mating plug connector and to a plug connector arrangement having such a plug connector.

Background

Electrical plug connectors for plugging onto or into mating plug connectors are known from the prior art.

When such plug connectors are used in high-current applications, they usually have at least two contact elements which are to be brought into mechanical and electrical contact with two mating contact elements on a mating plug connector. The mating contact element can be configured, for example, as a contact blade or as a contact pin. The system constructed from the plug connector and the mating plug connector can be referred to as a plug connector arrangement.

It is precisely important for high currents, which are transmitted between the plug connector and the mating plug connector in such plug connector devices in the case of high current applications, that the contact elements (so-called "Power Terminals") and the mating contact elements (so-called "Power Pins") through which the high currents are conducted, be permanently insulated relative to one another. Short circuits between adjacent contact elements must be avoided in the event of an applied voltage, since damage to the plug connector arrangement can occur in the event of a short circuit due to high currents. For example, an incoming liquid, such as water, or in general a fluid medium capable of conducting electricity, may trigger such a short circuit. Loose contact elements that are not well fixed in the associated contact chamber may also represent a risk of causing short circuits. In order to be able to avoid short circuits due to water or fluid media that can generally conduct electricity, a seal can be provided that inhibits the entry of water into the plug connector device. For example, a single-core seal or a sealing gasket or a radial seal can be arranged between the plug connector and the mating plug connector. The plug connector can be configured, for example, as a "female" type and the mating plug connector can be configured as a "male" type.

DE 102014216281 a1 discloses a plug connector arrangement for high-current applications, in which a radial seal between the plug connector and the mating plug connector is intended to prevent water from penetrating.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention proceeds from the following recognition, namely: despite the good sealing by the sealing element, it can also occur that water or in general a fluid medium which is electrically conductive enters the plug connector device. For example, the seal may age or the seal may be damaged.

Since loose contact elements which are not well fixed in the associated contact chamber may also represent a risk of short circuits, it may be necessary to block the contact element in the contact chamber by means of a contact blocking element which can be displaced, for example, transversely to the plugging direction, i.e. to prevent it from being unintentionally released from the contact chamber, for example, counter to the plugging direction.

For example, for currents of more than 10A, more than 50A, more than 100A or even more than 400A and/or voltages of more than 48V, more than 450V or even more than 1000V which are used, short circuits can be a great risk in the case of plug connector arrangements, for example due to the heat generation occurring there. This also applies to large wire cross sections, which can be greater than 1mm²(square millimeter) greater than 5mm²Or greater than 16 mm²Or even greater than 100 mm²。

There is therefore a need to provide a plug connector which has, on the one hand, a contact latching system for reliably securing the contact elements which conduct high currents in their contact chambers and which is provided for preventing the formation of short circuits between the contact elements or, in the case of a plug connector device, between mating contact elements by water or, in general, by an interposed electrically conductive fluid medium. In particular, short-circuit paths between contact elements adjacent to one another should be prevented, since a particularly short path of water is sufficient here to produce a short circuit.

This need is met by the subject matter of the present invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

Within the scope of the present application, the expressions "comprising" and "having" are used as synonyms, provided that no further explanations are explicitly mentioned.

The plug connector is an electrical plug connector which is designed, in particular, at least in part, for transmitting high currents.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a plug connector for plugging onto or into a mating plug connector along a plugging direction is proposed, wherein the mating plug connector has at least two mating contact elements.

The plug connector has a housing with a first plane facing the plugging direction. The housing has at least two contact chambers, each of the contact chambers having an opening in the first plane. Each contact chamber is provided for receiving a contact element, which is provided for making electrical and mechanical contact with one of at least two mating contact elements of a mating plug connector. A contact-locking element for locking a contact element that can be inserted into the contact chamber is arranged on the first plane. At least two contact chambers in the housing are designed separately from one another. In this case, it is provided that a wall is arranged between at least two adjacent contact chambers, which wall, viewed in the direction opposite to the plugging direction, projects from the first plane.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one groove is arranged in the first plane between at least two adjacent contact chambers.

In other words: the wall and/or the at least one groove are arranged between openings belonging to adjacent contact chambers in the first plane. The adjacent contacting chamber can be an immediately adjacent contacting chamber.

This is advantageously achieved in that: on the one hand, a reliable locking of the contact element that can be inserted into the contact chamber can be ensured by the contact locking element. At the same time, it is considerably difficult or completely impossible for liquids, such as water, which may reach all the way onto the first plane to construct a short-circuit path along the first plane. Since the wall and/or the at least one groove channel-like redirects water and prevents water from flowing directly from an opening or a contact chamber to an adjacent opening or a contact chamber. The water can thus be guided through the wall and/or the at least one groove all the way to the first plane, where it can flow out. As an alternative, the water flows separately into the contact chambers which are separated from one another, so that in this way too, short circuits between the contact elements are prevented, in particular at the first plane.

If a large amount of water is squeezed in, the construction of the short-circuit path along at least the first plane is delayed by the wall and/or the at least one groove, because water cannot flow directly on the shortest path between the contact chambers. In this case, for example, a sensor additionally arranged in the plug connector or in the plug connector arrangement comprising the plug connector can detect the water being pushed in. The current of the high-current connection can then be interrupted before a short circuit of the contact element occurs. Such a sensor, for example a water sensor, for example in the form of a resistance sensor, can be arranged, for example, in at least one of the contact chambers or in the vicinity of one of the contact chambers. Upon detection of a defined humidity level or water level, the sensor can, for example, transmit a signal to a control mechanism, which then interrupts the current flow over the contact element.

The wall and/or the at least one groove are advantageously designed such that they prevent water from flowing on the shortest path between adjacent contact chambers in all installation positions. That is, for example, in the installation position, in which the plugging direction points in the direction of gravity or for which the plugging direction points in a direction perpendicular to the plugging direction, or for all angles between these positions, water is prevented from flowing on the shortest path between adjacent contact chambers. For a direction of the plugging direction which is offset by more than 90 ° with respect to the direction of gravity, the wall and/or the at least one groove as a type of baffle or adhesion or leakage stopper may contribute to the intruding water directly connecting two adjacent contact chambers or contact chambers which are also further away from one another to one another on the shortest path.

The first plane can be designed such that a path is created along the first plane, which connects at least two contact chambers or the openings thereof to one another. In other words: the housing cannot be regarded as a block with contact chambers separated from one another, wherein then only imaginary or virtual planes are placed into the block.

The contact chambers can be formed completely separately from one another in the interior of the housing, i.e. below the opening in the first plane. The contact chambers can thus each form a separate contact chamber by themselves. Correspondingly, the contact chambers are spaced apart from one another in a direction perpendicular to the plugging direction. This also applies to the openings belonging to the contact chamber.

Provision can be made for a wall to be provided in each case between all contact chambers adjacent to one another on the first plane and/or for at least one groove to be provided in the first plane. These walls and grooves can be constructed such that they do not adversely affect the displacement of the contact blocking element.

It goes without saying that an injection-molded skin which is formed during the injection molding process cannot generally be regarded as a wall in the sense of the present invention.

The contact chambers can be arranged, for example, in rows perpendicular to the plugging direction. If there are more than two or even more than three contact chambers, the contact chambers can also be constructed in a matrix arrangement in the housing, that is to say: along the rows and columns, respectively, perpendicular to the plugging direction.

The contact-blocking element can be, for example, the only contact-blocking element. In other words: only a single contact-locking element is provided in the plug connector. With this contact-locking element, for example, all contact elements that can be inserted into the contact chamber can be fixed simultaneously. The assembly process is thereby advantageously simplified.

The contact-blocking element can be displaced, for example, along the first plane and either completely releases or at least partially covers the opening of the contact chamber. For this purpose, the contact-blocking element can be moved or displaced along the first plane, for example, perpendicular to the plugging direction along the plugging direction.

The mating plug connector has at least two mating contact elements, which can be designed, for example, as contact blades or contact pins, and which can be designed, for example, to transmit high currents of at least 10A or at least 50A, in particular, at a voltage of at least 12V or at least 45V or at least 100V. For this purpose, the mating contact element can have, for example, at least 2mm for the corresponding contact element²Or at least 5mm²Or at least 10 mm²Or at least 20 mm²Or at least 50 mm²For example 6 mm²Or 50 mm²Or 90 mm²Cross section or contact surface.

Accordingly, the contact element is designed to likewise conduct high currents. For example, the contact element is designed to be plugged onto a mating contact element.

The plug connector or the contact element can be designed, for example, as a "female" plug element, while the mating plug connector or the mating contact element can be designed as a "male" plug element.

In the case of a wall being provided on the first plane between two adjacent contact chambers, wherein the wall projects at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2mm beyond the first plane, it is advantageously ensured that water which is forced in cannot form the shortest short-circuit path between adjacent contact chambers.

The wall can have a width, such as at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2 mm.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that at least one groove is provided on or in the first plane, wherein the at least one groove has a depth relative to the first plane of at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2 mm. This advantageously enables particularly effective drainage of water in the form of channels or a particularly effective leakage prevention means to be formed.

The at least one groove can have a groove width of, for example, at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2 mm.

In a further development, it is provided that a contact element is arranged in at least two of the at least two contact chambers.

The formation of a short circuit between two contact elements by means of water being squeezed in is advantageously prevented by the wall and/or the at least one groove.

If only two contact chambers are provided, these are therefore equipped with contact elements. However, for more than two contact chambers, the following may occur: the plug connector is used in a modular system and only exactly two, more than two or even all contact chambers are provided with contact elements, depending on the use case. In the case that all contact chambers are not equipped with contact elements, the wall and/or the at least one groove is formed at least between the next adjacent occupied contact chambers.

Viewed in the plug-in direction, the at least two contact chambers are configured as through-openings which pass through the housing, whereby this is advantageously achieved in that: water that is pressed up to a first plane can flow out through the through-openings and can leave the housing and thus the first plane.

The wall extends at least along the overlapping length of the lengths of adjacent openings, whereby this is advantageously achieved in that: the overlap region along the projection of the openings in the direction perpendicular to the plugging direction does not produce a direct connection path between the openings and thus between the contact chambers in the projection direction. The projection direction can, for example, be produced along the shortest connecting line between adjacent contact chambers or openings thereof. This reliably prevents the inflowing water from flowing from one contact chamber into the adjacent contact chamber and thus also inhibits short-circuit paths. The wall extends particularly advantageously without interruption at least along the projection length.

In a further development, the housing has an outer frame which surrounds the first plane and which projects beyond the first plane opposite the plugging direction. The frame encompasses the first plane along a circumferential angle of at least 220 ° around the plugging direction. The wall and/or the at least one groove pass through the frame in a radial direction perpendicular to the plugging direction. Along the surrounding direction, a space is provided between the frame and the wall on both sides of the wall. In other words: an outflow opening is provided between the wall and the rim. The water which has been guided through the wall and/or the at least one groove all the way to the edge of the first plane can thus advantageously flow out of the first plane through the recess and, for example, along the outer side of the housing. The accumulation of water inside the rim is thus advantageously avoided.

The frame can for example project at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2mm beyond the first plane, that is to say: the plug-in direction is opposite to the plug-in direction and extends outwards from the first plane.

It goes without saying that water can flow out without problems over the outer side of the housing after passing over the edge of the first plane without a rim.

In a further development, the two recesses extend at least from a first plane of the housing, as viewed in the plug-in direction, to a second plane of the housing facing away from the first plane. In other words: the recesses are each formed as a groove on the outer side of the housing between a first plane and a second plane. The recess thereby advantageously acts as a kind of "gutter" or a defined flow path or flow aid for liquids, such as water, along the outer side of the housing. For example, a sensor for detecting liquids, such as water, can be arranged on the second plane in the region of the recess, which sensor interrupts the current if necessary when liquids are detected. The design of the recess achieves this in that: liquid can be guided to such a sensor in a targeted manner.

The contact-blocking element can be displaced on the first plane perpendicular to the plug-in plane from a first position into a second position, wherein in the second position of the contact-blocking element is prevented from being removed from the contact chamber counter to the plug-in direction by the contact-blocking element, whereby this is advantageously achieved in that: short-circuits between the contact elements are prevented during operation. Furthermore, the contact elements are prevented from being released from the associated mating contact element during operation. In the case of high currents, undesired damage to the contact elements and/or the mating contact elements may occur in such cases, for example, as a result of arcing.

In the first position of the contact-blocking element, the contact element can be inserted into the contact chamber and can be removed from the contact chamber.

It can be provided that the contact-blocking element can be moved back and forth repeatedly between the first and second position, for example for assembly and/or disassembly purposes.

In one refinement, the contact-locking element has a latching device. The wall and/or the at least one groove have, on the end face pointing in the direction opposite to the plugging direction, a structure complementary to a latching device, which can be latched in the structure. This is advantageously achieved in that: during assembly, it can be determined by a tactile signal, i.e., a latch, whether and whether the contact-blocking element has been moved into the first position or into the second position. At the same time, the first or second position of the contact-blocking element is fixed in this way, so that unintentional displacement is prevented.

Furthermore, the arrangement on the end side of the wall advantageously achieves that: the flow of the liquid along the first plane is not adversely affected by the latching means and the flow is not diverted.

In a further development, the contact-locking element has two legs which project from the base body and which, perpendicular to their direction of extension, have a spacing relative to one another which is greater than the width of the wall transverse to the plug-in direction. The two legs extend on both sides of the wall in the inserted state of the contact-blocking element.

The distance between the legs can be greater by, for example, at most 1mm or at most 0.2mm than the width of the wall.

The wall thus advantageously has a guide function for contacting the blocking element in addition to its separating function for the liquid. This facilitates a correct insertion of the contact-locking element and thus also supports a secure and reliable locking of the contact element fitted into the contact chamber. The wall thus ensures the plug connector particularly well against short circuits: on the one hand, unintentional release is prevented by means of the contact-blocking element and, on the other hand, short-circuit paths due to water being squeezed in are prevented.

On the arm, a projection can be arranged, for example, in the vicinity of the base body, which projection projects from the arm transversely to the direction of extension of the arm. This can be achieved in that: in the first position of the contact-blocking element, the projection does not cover the respective opening and in the second position at least partially covers the opening. In this way, the projection can represent an undercut which prevents the contact element from moving out counter to the plugging direction.

It goes without saying that one or two legs can be arranged on the contact-blocking element toward a plurality of openings or toward each opening, that is to say toward a plurality of contact chambers or toward each contact chamber. The arms can all be arranged on the base body.

The contact-locking elements can also be designed in principle differently, i.e. without linear legs.

Finally, a mistake-proof solution is provided by the wall and the two arms extending laterally thereof, which mistake-proof solution prevents the wrong contact-blocking element from being pushed into the plug connector. This is important during assembly in order to ensure that the plug connector, which is constructed from a plurality of individual parts, is correctly assembled and can fulfill its function — in this case, for example, fixing a contact element inserted into the contact chamber.

In a further development, the locking device is connected to two arms extending on both sides of the wall. The latching device connects the two limbs at their free ends by means of a connecting element. The connecting element spans the wall, viewed opposite the insertion direction. The latching device is advantageously, on the one hand, stable and robust to mechanical loads. While the two arms connected to each other are stabilized. The arm can better withstand damage due to pushing in, for example, deflection of the contact-blocking element. The previously described error-proof solution is thus further improved. Furthermore, the latching device is prevented from sliding off the end face of the wall.

If more than one wall is provided, it is sufficient to provide only one latching means on the end face on one wall. However, a plurality of latching devices can also then be considered.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an electrical plug connector arrangement is proposed.

The electrical plug connector device has:

a plug connector as described above;

-a mating plug connector having at least two mating contact elements;

the plug connector is plugged together with the mating plug connector in the plugging direction and makes electrical contact therewith.

The mating contact element can be configured, for example, as a contact blade or a contact pin. In principle, contact surfaces on the circuit board (so-called "Lands") can also be considered.

The plug connector device proposed is advantageously distinguished by particularly good security against short circuits by: the contact element is prevented from being released from the contact chamber by means of a preferably single contact blocking element. While short-circuits due to water intruding into the plug connector device are prevented in this way by preventing short-circuit paths between adjacent contact chambers and/or contact elements.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings, which should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Wherein:

fig. 1a shows a perspective view of a plug connector device in an exploded view;

fig. 1b shows the plug connector of the plug connector arrangement of fig. 1a in an assembled state;

fig. 1c shows the mating plug connector of fig. 1 a;

fig. 2 shows a housing of the plug connector of fig. 1 a;

fig. 3a shows a housing of the plug connector of fig. 2 with a contact latching element;

fig. 3b and 3c show detailed views of the contact-blocking element in two different positions;

fig. 4a to 4c show different views of the plug connector device in a mounting position, in which the plug direction corresponds to the direction of gravity;

fig. 5a and 5b show different views of the plug connector device in a mounted position in which the plug direction is inclined by approximately 80 ° with respect to the direction of gravity;

fig. 6a to 6c show different views of the plug connector device in a mounted position in which the plug direction is inclined by approximately 90 ° with respect to the direction of gravity and the wall on the first plane points in the direction of gravity.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a shows a perspective view of a plug connector device 100 in an exploded view. The plug connector device 100 has:

plug-in connector 1 and

a mating plug connector 30 with at least two mating contact elements (31, see fig. 1 c), wherein the plug connector 1 is plugged together with the mating plug connector 30 along a plugging direction S and can make electrical contact. In the illustration, the plugging direction S corresponds to the direction of gravity g.

The plug connector 1 is provided for plugging onto a mating plug connector 30 or into the mating plug connector 30 along a plugging direction S. The plug connector 1 has a housing 2 with a first plane 3 facing the plugging direction S. The first plane 3 has a substantially rectangular shape with rounded edges.

A cartesian coordinate system with axis X, Y, Z is drawn for better orientation in this and the following figures. The plugging direction S extends in this case counter to the direction Z of the coordinate system. The X direction can also be referred to as the width direction and the Y direction as the longitudinal direction in the illustrated orientation of the coordinate system relative to the plug connector arrangement 100, in particular relative to the first plane 3 of the housing 2.

The outer housing 51 is mounted by means of the housing 2, wherein a radial seal 50 is merely exemplary mounted between the housing 2 and the outer housing 51, which radial seal is intended to prevent water or in general a fluid medium that can conduct electricity from penetrating from an outer region of the plug connector 1 onto the first plane 3.

An actuating lever 52 can be arranged on the outer housing 51, which actuating lever can engage with a toothed rack 36 on the mating plug connector 30 by means of a toothed element 52a when the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 30 are plugged together, so that the plug connector 1 can be pulled onto the mating plug connector 30 by pivoting the actuating lever 51.

The housing 2 has at least two contact chambers 4, each of which has an opening 5 in the first plane 3. In the embodiment shown, exactly two contact chambers 4 are provided. Each contact chamber 4 is arranged for receiving a contact element 6. Each contact element 6 is provided for making electrical and mechanical contact with one of at least two counterpart contact elements 31 of the counterpart plug connector 30. Each contact element 6 is electrically and mechanically connected to a conductor 55 which has an insulating layer around a conductive core (wire or strand). A single-core seal 56 can be arranged on each conductor 55, said seal having a plurality of sealing plates spaced apart from one another in the direction of extent of the conductor.

On the first plane 3, a contact-blocking element 20 is arranged for blocking the contact element 6 that can be inserted into the contact chamber 4. The contact latching element 20 can be pushed or displaced laterally into the plug connector 1 in a push-in direction E, i.e. transversely to the plugging direction S. This means that: it can be displaced transversely to the plugging direction S above or on the first plane 3. On one side perpendicular to the insertion direction E, it has a contact-blocking element stop 18, which in the inserted state of the contact-blocking element 20 extends beyond the first plane 3 counter to the insertion direction S.

In this exemplary embodiment, the housing 2 has, merely by way of example, an outer edge 8 which surrounds or delimits the first plane 3 and which projects beyond the first plane 3 counter to the plugging direction S.

The two contact chambers 4 are formed separately from one another in the housing 2.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, a wall 7 is arranged between two adjacent contact chambers 4, which wall, viewed opposite the plugging direction S, projects from the first plane 3. In this way, a direct connection between the two openings 5 along the first plane 3 is inhibited. As a result, despite the presence of the radial seal 50 and the single-core seal 56, it is not possible for liquid which has reached the first plane 3 to flow along the shortest path or along a short path from one of the openings 5 to the adjacent other opening 5, whereby a short circuit between the contact elements 6 or the mating contact element 31 is reliably prevented.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one groove can be arranged in the first plane 3 in two contact chambers 4 adjacent to each other, for example a groove on each side of the wall 7. In the embodiment shown, these slots are not shown. At least one groove can also be constructed instead of the wall 7. The first plane 3 can then be designed to be particularly flat and allow the touch-and-close element 20 to move onto the first plane 3 particularly unimpededly.

The housing 2 additionally has a signal contact opening 61 with a signal contact chamber located thereunder. These signal contact chambers are provided for receiving the signal contacts 57 together with the wires arranged thereon.

In the outer housing 51 of the embodiment described two insertion openings 53 for the contact elements 6 and six signal contact insertion openings 54 for the signal contacts 57 are provided.

The contact element 6 is provided for transmitting an electric current of at least 10A, preferably at least 20A or at least 50A, preferably at least 100A. The contact elements can be dimensioned accordingly and have a dimension of, for example, at least 2mm relative to the counter-contact element²Or at least 5mm²Or at least 10 mm²Preferably at least 20 mm²The contact surface of (a).

Conversely, the signal contacts can be dimensioned smaller, for example. For example, the signal contacts are subjected to a signal voltage of, for example, 0V to 5V, and only a small signal current of, for example, less than 3A, preferably less than 1A, and particularly preferably less than 300mA flows. A short circuit between the signal contacts, for example, caused by a liquid, such as, for example, water or urea solution or brake fluid or the like, is likewise not advantageous, but the power transmitted is therefore much smaller than a short circuit between the electrically conductive contact elements 6.

Fig. 1b shows the plug connector 1 of fig. 1a in the assembled state. The housing 2 is now arranged inside the outer housing 51 and is not visible here. The plug connector 1 has two contact elements 4, of which two lines 55 can be seen, and six signal contact elements 57 with their lines.

Fig. 1c shows a perspective top view of the mating plug connector 30 facing the viewer. The two mating contact elements configured to contact the blade can be well seen. Between the two mating contact elements 31 a contact protection 32 is arranged. With a spatial separation from the mating contact element 31, a matrix of six signal mating contact elements 34 in the form of pins is arranged. In principle, the mating contact element 31, which is designed as a contact blade, can also be designed, for example, as a pin or even as a contact surface of a printed conductor.

Fig. 2 shows the housing 2 without touching the blocking element and in more detail.

The wall 7 extends at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2mm from the first plane 3. If alternatively or additionally at least one groove is formed between adjacent openings 5, this groove has a depth relative to the first plane 3. This depth can be, for example, at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2 mm. The width B of the wall 7 or the width of the groove can be, for example, at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2 mm.

Thus, the wall 7 can serve as a guide element for the liquid and the groove can serve as a channel or passage as well as a guide element for the liquid.

The housing 2 has exactly two contact chambers 4. In principle, more than two contact chambers 4, for example at least three or at least four contact chambers 4, for example five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or 14 or 20 contact chambers 4, can also be provided. These contact chambers 4 can be arranged side by side as a row along the width direction X. However, matrix arrangements are also conceivable, for example, in which a plurality of rows extending in the width direction X are spaced apart from one another in relation to the longitudinal direction Y.

It is likewise possible that one or more contact chambers 4 are not provided, for example for providing a housing 2 which is a modular arrangement and is provided, for example, with two, three, four or five contact elements 4, respectively, but the positions provided therein can differ depending on the mating plug-in connector 30 which can be replaced. Only six contact chambers 4 can then be provided by way of example, but only two or only three of these contact chambers are provided by way of example with contact elements 6.

The contact chambers 4 arranged in the housing 2 each have, merely by way of example, at least one undercut 13 on their wall, on which a snap lock lance (rastlaze) of a contact element 6 inserted into the contact chamber 4 can initially snap lock before the contact element 6 is finally fixed in its position (and thus locked again) by means of a contact locking element 20 (not shown here).

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two contact chambers 4 each have approximately the same dimensions, so that the contact elements 6 can be produced as one piece. The opening 5 arranged in the first plane 3 has an approximately rectangular cross section with rounded corners. Here, the long side extends along a first length L1 of the first opening 5 (left opening in the drawing) and along a second length L2 of the second opening 5 (right opening in the drawing). The long side extends approximately along the longitudinal direction Y. The overlap length L results if two long sides of adjacent openings facing each other are projected along a direction R perpendicular to the plugging direction S and perpendicular to the long sides of the openings 5 (shortest distance between the openings). The wall 7 extends here in the longitudinal direction Y at least along this overlap length L between the two openings 5. It can be seen in fig. 2 that the walls project on both sides of the opening 5 even beyond the length L1, L2 of the opening 5. Thereby, it is not easy for the liquid arriving on the first plane 3 to reach the other opening 5 from one opening 5 on the shortest path. Thereby avoiding short circuits.

The rim 8 of the first surface 3 can for example project at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2mm beyond the first plane 3. The frame 8 can be designed such that its end faces interact in the Z direction with the radial direction 50 of the plug connector and thus prevent liquid from penetrating the first plane 3 (as can be seen, for example, in fig. 4 c).

The frame 8 surrounds or encloses the first plane 3 along a surrounding angle phi (phi) of at least 220 ° around the plugging direction S (for the sake of illustration, the plugging direction S is doubly drawn in fig. 2). In the illustrated embodiment with an approximately rectangular cross section of the first plane 3, the first plane 3 is enclosed on three sides: the first plane is completely enclosed on its two shorter sides and on one of its longer sides (here: the longer side pointing to the left) except for the notch or two recesses 9, which are described further below. On the long side of the first surface, which is directed to the right and to the rear in the figure, no frame 8 or only a partial frame is provided. This therefore leads to the following results, namely: from this side, the contact-blocking element 20 is inserted into the plane and forms an entry for the movement of the contact-blocking element 20 in the insertion direction E. The rim 8, which is missing here, on the housing is supplemented by a contact closure element stop 18 of a contact closure element 20 (see fig. 1a, 3a to 3c, 4 a), so that the first plane 3 is still completely enclosed by the

rim

8, 18 when the contact closure element 20 is inserted.

The advantage of this embodiment of the plug connector, which has a housing 2 and an outer housing 51 and a contact-locking element 20 arranged between them on the first plane 3, is produced in that: in this way, a single contact-blocking element 20 is sufficient for blocking all contact elements 4 in their contact chambers 6. However, in order to ensure good protection against short circuits due to liquids, such as water, which may reach all the way to the first plane 3, walls 7 are provided which are arranged between adjacent contact chambers 4. Alternatively or additionally, at least one groove can also be provided, which extends like a gutter between the openings 5 and can lead water out.

The two recesses 9 extend, as viewed in the plug-in direction S, at least from the first plane 3 of the housing 2 up to a second plane 10 of the housing 1 facing away from the first plane 3. This ensures that short circuits between the contact elements 6 due to the liquid path are then prevented or delayed also when water flows out from both sides of the wall 7 through the two recesses 9. Since the recesses 9 also extend away from one another on the outer surface of the housing 2.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the wall 7 extends through the frame 8 in the longitudinal direction Y, i.e., in a radial direction R perpendicular to the plugging direction S. A recess 9 is provided on both sides of the wall 7 in the circumferential direction U between the frame 8 and the wall 7.

It is thus ensured that, even when the plug connector device 100 is tilted to the left and to the front, liquid can flow out of the first plane 3 through the recess 9 and cannot rise all the way to the level of the rim 8 and thus then over the wall 7.

The contact chambers 4 are not connected inside the housing 2. The contact chamber is here configured as a through-hole, which passes through the housing 2, by way of example and terminates in the second plane 10 at the lower end of the housing 2 in the figure. There, the mating contact elements 31 can then enter the contact chambers 4 when the plug connector 1 is plugged together with the mating plug connector 30.

The openings 5 of the contact chambers 4 in the first plane 3 are thus separated from each other, but can in principle be connected to each other by a path in the first plane 3. Such a path extends, for example, from the left opening 5, along the wall 7, back to the signal contact opening 61 (where the contact-blocking element 20 can be supported), around the wall 7 and opens into the right opening 5. However, this path is much longer than the shortest path running transversely through the wall 7. Such a path, which is extended by means of the wall 7, furthermore requires that the liquid first flows in one direction (for example, when inclined slightly backwards: along the direction of gravity g) and then after bypassing the wall 7 must flow counter to this direction, that is to say counter to the direction of gravity g. Alternatively, the inclination, for example to the left, must be so great that the liquid crosses the height of the wall 7 (or alternatively the groove depth of the groove) before it comes out through the first plane 3 and then flows out along the outer wall of the housing 2. As a result, it is more likely that, for example, when tilting forward, the liquid flows along the wall 7 along the drawn arrow and exits the first plane 3 at the recess 9 — and does not bypass the wall 7 and flows upward again on the other side of the wall 7.

In the case of a liquid that may reach the first plane 3, this liquid cannot flow out only on the outer side of the first plane 3, but also through the contact chamber 4 itself. In order to prevent short circuits occurring under the current on the second plane 10, at least one sensor can be additionally arranged, for example in the vicinity of the second plane 10 and/or in at least one contact chamber 4, which sensor is provided for detecting liquid or moisture or a liquid level. If liquid or moisture or a liquid level is detected by the sensor, the current can be switched off so that a short circuit between two or more contact elements 6 or counter-contact elements 31, which short circuit is produced by means of the liquid, is unlikely to cause damage. At least a delay of the short circuit is caused by the wall 7 (and/or the at least one groove) so that the current can be switched off in time by means of the sensor when liquid is introduced.

Fig. 3a shows the housing 2 of the plug connector of fig. 2 with the contact-blocking element 20.

The contact latching element 20 is designed in one piece here. Only a single contact-locking element 20 is provided in the plug connector 1. The contact-blocking element 20 has two legs 23 which project from a base body 22. The base body 22 extends here only exemplarily in the width direction X. The leg 23 projects approximately perpendicularly from the base body 22 and extends in the insertion direction E as far as the free end 24. The legs 23 are designed substantially straight or linear, so that a comb-like structure of the contact-blocking element 20 results. The limbs 23 adjacent to the wall 7 have a distance D, perpendicular to their direction of extension, from one another which is greater than the width B of the wall 7 transverse to the plugging direction S. Two legs 23 adjacent to wall 7 extend on both sides of wall 7 in the inserted state of contact lock element 20. The distance D can be greater than the width B of the wall 7 by, for example, at most 1mm or at most 0.2 mm.

The contact-blocking element 20 can be displaced on the first plane 3 in a push-in direction E perpendicular to the plugging direction S from a first position into a second position.

In the first position, the arm 23 with its projection 26 does not cover or only covers the opening 5 in such a way that the contact chamber 4 can be provided with the contact element 6 in the first position of the contact-locking element 10. In the second position of the contact-blocking element 20, the projection 26 on the leg 23 partially covers at least the opening 5 of the contact chamber 4 in such a way that the contact element 6 inserted into the contact chamber 4 is secured against being removed from the contact chamber 4 counter to the plugging direction S.

The contact-locking element 20 has a latching device 21, wherein the wall 7 (alternatively or additionally: the at least one groove) has a structure 12 on the end face 11 pointing in the direction opposite to the plugging direction S, which structure 12 is complementary to the latching device 21, wherein the latching device 21 can be latched in the structure 12. The detent means 21 is embodied here as a tip 27 on a spring structure 28, wherein the tip 27 is pressed by the spring structure 28 against the end face 11 of the wall 7. The end side 11 has a topology in the longitudinal direction Y with two adjacent local minima M1, M2 (only the first lowest M1 is visible). If the contact-blocking element 20 is now displaced in the insertion direction E on the first plane 3, the tip 27 slides along the end side 11. If it reaches, for example, the first lowest wedge M1, the tip 27 engages — here, for example, the first position is reached and the fitter gets tactile feedback: such as to the arming position (first position). The contact-blocking element 20 can then only be moved further in the push-in direction E by the increased force consumption. If this occurs, the tip 27 leaves the first lowermost point M1 along the lead-out slope 29 of the first lowermost point M1 and engages in a further movement, for example, into the second lowermost point M2, which is wedge-shaped. The assembler obtains tactile feedback: such as to a latched position (second position).

The latching device 21 is only exemplarily connected to two legs 23 extending on both sides of the wall 7. The latching device 21 connects the two limbs 23 adjacent to the wall 7 at their free ends 24 by means of a connecting element 25, wherein the connecting element 25 bridges the wall 7, viewed in the direction opposite to the insertion direction S. This is advantageously achieved on the one hand by: the two arms 23 are mechanically stabilized. Furthermore, it is advantageous to realize that: the locking device 21 with its tip 27 always slides along the end face 11 and its complementary structure 12 to the locking device 21 and cannot slide off laterally.

Fig. 3b and 3c show a detailed view of the contact-blocking element 20 in a first position (fig. 3 b) and in a second position (fig. 3 c) in a longitudinal section through the wall 7. In both figures, the first lowest M1 and the second lowest M2 can be seen well. In fig. 3c, the projection 26 arranged on the arm in the vicinity of the base body 22 covers a part of the opening 5 shown.

Fig. 4a and 4b show two external views of the plug connector 1, which are twisted by 90 ° relative to one another about the Z axis, the plug connector being arranged such that the plugging direction S corresponds to the direction of gravity g. Here, the lever 52 and the outer housing 51 can be seen well.

Fig. 4c shows the cross section of fig. 4b in order to show how the liquid is prevented by means of the wall 7 when it is fed up to the first plane 3: the liquid or the electrically conductive fluid or the fluid medium which penetrates short-circuits the two contact elements 6 or the two counter-contact elements 31. Here, the liquid is only introduced here by way of example through a single-core seal 56 of the line 55 of the contact element 6. The liquid is referred to herein as "H₂O "is denoted as water, which liquid, after passing through the conically converging opening in the lower part of the outer housing 51, reaches onto the first plane 3 in the region of the opening 5. However, the liquid does not flow directly along the first plane 3 on the shortest path from the first opening 5 (left) to the second opening 5 (right), since it is prevented from flowing in this way by the wall 7. More precisely, the liquid flows out in the associated contact chamber 4 individually for each contact element 6 as a function of the force of gravity g and can then be detected, for example, by a sensor before a short circuit is established, as a result of which a current interruption can be initiated. Fig. 4c shows a stranded wire 6a, which electrically connects the conductor 55 to the associated contact element 6. The stranded wires 6a are here fixed to the respective contact elements 6 with crimps 6 b.

Of course, the liquid can also flow along the wall 7 up to the edge 8 and then gradually (tretend) out on the outer side of the housing 2 through the recess 9.

Fig. 5a shows a view of the plug connector 1 in the mounted position, in which the plugging direction S is inclined by approximately 80 ° with respect to the direction of gravity g. The X direction is almost directed to the direction of gravity g and the joystick 52 is directed towards the viewer. The push-in direction E is from the plane of the drawing towards the viewer. In this case, liquid accumulates, which flows forward on the wall 7 up to the first plane 3, which is here oriented approximately horizontally with respect to the direction of gravity g.

Fig. 5b shows the plug connector of fig. 5a in a cross section of the outer housing 51, so that the recess 51 on the outer side of the housing 2 can be seen directly.

The liquid, for example, which has passed through the single-core seal 56 up to the first plane 3 exhibits the following flow paths: the liquid which is squeezed in at the line 55 which is directed closer to the direction of gravity g flows into the first opening 5 (here below) when it reaches the first plane 3. The liquid which is pushed in at the other (upper) line 55 then follows the force of gravity g and first accumulates in the region between the first plane 3 and the wall 7, where a v-shaped accumulation section is formed. However, the liquid cannot pass over the wall 7, but rather passes through the recess 9 belonging to the wall 7 on the side which is now arranged above in the drawing and flows there along the outer wall of the housing 2 without being transferred to the other recess 9. Thus, a short circuit is also effectively prevented in this mounting position.

Fig. 6a and 6b show two external views of the plug connector 1 which are rotated by 90 ° relative to one another about the Y axis, the plug connector being arranged such that the plugging direction S is inclined by approximately 90 ° relative to the direction of gravity g and the wall 7 on the first plane 3 points in the direction of gravity g. The actuating lever 52 points downwards in the direction of gravity g, as does the pushing-in direction E.

Fig. 6c shows the plug connector of fig. 6a and 6b in a cross section of the outer housing 51, so that the first plane 3 can be seen.

In this case, the liquid which has squeezed onto the first plane 3 likewise cannot short-circuit adjacent contact chambers 4 in the shortest path, since it is forced by the wall 7, which is vertical here, in the form of a partition to flow off downwards on both sides of the wall 7 and out of the housing 2 through the recess 9.

For other installation positions of the plug connector 1, it can also be shown that a short circuit, which is produced by the liquid on the shortest path between the adjacent contact chambers 4 and the contact elements 6 located therein, is prevented or at least delayed for a long time by the wall (or alternatively or additionally the at least one groove).

If, for example, the plug connector 1 of fig. 6c is twisted by 180 ° about the plugging direction S, liquid flows along the wall 7 (or in at least one groove) on the first plane 3 into the region of the signal contacts, where a short circuit has no such serious consequences and can also be detected, so that a strong current can be cut off at the contact elements 6.

Furthermore, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to a plug connector 1 with exactly two contact chambers 4. For more than two contact chambers 4, a plurality of walls 7 can be provided between adjacent contact chambers 4, and one or two recesses 9 can likewise be provided for each wall 7, through which the liquid can flow out of the first plane 3.

Claims

1. Plug connector (1) for plugging onto or into a mating plug connector (30) along a plugging direction (S), the mating plug connector (30) having at least two mating contact elements (31), wherein the plug connector (1) has a housing (2) with a first plane (3) facing the plugging direction (S),

wherein the housing (2) has at least two contact chambers (4), each of the contact chambers (4) having an opening (5) in the first plane (3), wherein each contact chamber (4) is provided for receiving a contact element (6), the contact element (6) being provided for making electrical and mechanical contact with one of at least two counterpart contact elements (31) of the mating plug connector (30),

wherein a contact-blocking element (20) for blocking a contact element (6) that can be inserted into a contact chamber (4) is arranged on the first plane (3), wherein the contact-blocking element (20) can be pushed or displaced laterally in a plug-in direction (E) into the plug-in connector (1) transversely to the plug-in direction (S),

wherein at least two of the contact chambers (4) are formed separately from one another in the housing (2),

wherein a wall (7) is arranged on the first plane (3) between at least two adjacent contact chambers (4), the wall (7) extending perpendicularly to the plug-in direction (S) and the wall (7) projecting from the first plane (3) viewed opposite the plug-in direction (S),

and/or

Wherein at least one groove is arranged in the first plane (3) between at least two contact chambers (4) adjacent to one another, which groove extends perpendicularly to the plugging direction (S), wherein the contact-blocking element (20) can be pushed or displaced laterally in the plugging connector (1) along a push-in direction (E), that is to say transversely to the plugging direction (S),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the housing (2) has an outer rim (8), the outer rim (8) surrounding the first plane (3) and the outer rim (8) extending beyond the first plane (3) opposite the plugging direction (S),

wherein the frame (8) surrounds the first plane (3) along a circumferential angle (phi) of at least 220 DEG around the plugging direction (S),

wherein the wall (7) and/or at least one groove passes through the edge frame (8) in a radial direction (R) perpendicular to the plugging direction (S),

wherein, a recess (9) is provided on both sides of the wall (7) in the direction of the loop (U) between the frame (8) and the wall (7).

2. Plug connector (1) according to claim 1,

wherein the wall (7) protrudes at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2mm beyond the first plane (3),

and/or

Wherein the at least one groove has a depth with respect to the first plane (3) of at least 0.25mm or at least 0.5mm or at least 1mm or at least 1.5mm or at least 2 mm.

3. Plug connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims,

wherein a contact element (6) is arranged in at least two contact chambers (4) of the at least two contact chambers (4).

4. Plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein, viewed in the plug-in direction (S), at least two contact chambers (4) are designed as through-openings which pass through the housing (2).

5. Plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the wall (7) extends at least along the overlapping length (L) of the lengths (L1, L2) of adjacent openings (5).

6. Plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the outer frame (8) projects beyond the first plane (3) counter to the plug-in direction (S) by at least 0.25mm, or by at least 0.5mm, or by at least 1mm, or by at least 1.5mm, or by at least 2 mm.

7. Plug connector (1) according to claim 6,

the two recesses (9) extend at least from the first plane (3) of the housing (2) as far as a second plane (10) of the housing (2) facing away from the first plane (3), as viewed in the plug-in direction (S).

8. Plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein a contact-blocking element (200) is displaceable on the first plane (3) perpendicularly to the plugging direction (S) from a first position into a second position,

wherein, in the second position of the contact-blocking element (20), the contact-blocking element (20) prevents the contact element (6) from being removed from the contact chamber (4) counter to the plugging direction (S).

9. Plug connector (1) according to claim 8,

wherein the contact-locking element (20) has a latching device (21), wherein the wall (7) and/or the at least one groove has a structure (12) complementary to the latching device (21) on the end face (11) pointing in the direction opposite to the plugging direction (S), wherein the latching device (21) can be latched in the structure (12).

10. Plug connector (1) according to claim 9,

wherein the contact-locking element (20) has two limbs (23) which project from the base body (22), wherein the limbs (23) have a distance (D) from one another perpendicular to the direction of extent thereof, wherein the distance (D) is greater than a width (B) of the wall (7) transverse to the plugging direction (S),

wherein the two legs (23) extend on both sides of the wall (7) in the inserted state of the contact-blocking element (20).

11. Plug connector (1) according to claim 10,

wherein the locking device (21) is connected to two arms (23) extending on both sides of the wall (7),

wherein the latching device (21) connects the two limbs (23) at their free ends (24) by means of a connecting element (25),

wherein, viewed in the direction opposite to the plugging direction (S), the connecting element (25) bridges the wall (7).

12. Electrical plug connector arrangement having:

-a plug connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims;

a mating plug connector (30) with at least two mating contact elements (31),

wherein the plug connector (1) is plugged together and makes electrical contact with the mating plug connector (30) along a plugging direction (S).